Dark Scrolls
Developer: Doinksoft
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Platforms: Steam (Windows; playable on Steam Deck), Nintendo Switch
Price: $10, with a 10 percent discount on Steam until July 5 and free copies of Gunbrella and Gato Roboto included in select territories
I’ve mostly enjoyed my time with Dark Scrolls, though I don’t think it quite adds up to more than the sum of its parts. The title is pitch perfect for a side-scrolling platformer that’s influenced by FromSoftware games. I dig the Master System-style visuals and shoot-’em’up feel. It’s nice that there’s local and online co-op support, but I haven’t tried that yet.
Keeping in with the old-school vibe of Dark Scrolls (as well as FromSoft games), there isn’t a tutorial to speak of. You’ll figure out the characters’ abilities through experimentation. Alternatively, you can pick up your phone in real life and call a hotline that Doinksoft set up, just like the game helplines of old. Cute. The review guide sent out to journalists also evoked classic game manuals. I enjoyed that very much.
I like the variety of heroes as well. You have access to three at the jump — the ax-throwing, ground-pounding Grizz suited my playstyle well — and you’ll unlock others as you progress. The first of those is likely to be an adorable pup named Biscuit with a bark that’s more powerful than its bite. Alas, I couldn’t quite get to grips with Biscuit. I died far more rapidly as the dog than with other characters.
You earn coins from chests and defeating enemies, and use these to buy perks that you can employ throughout your run. Perks are tied to your character’s star level and, from what I’ve seen so far, they each last for a short time. Still, that could be enough to quickly destroy a boss if you have the bomb perk. Star levels reset when you trigger your special ability. In Grizz’s case, that involves firing a bunch of axes in multiple directions at once.
However, the roguelite aspect is where Dark Scrolls falls short for me. Many of the perks — such as a rocket jump — are fun, though the upgrade economy is brutal. Each level has a shop where you can buy upgrades, but the prices increase dramatically between stages.
I get what Doinksoft is going for. Every time you level up your character in, say, Elden Ring, it costs more. That approach doesn’t quite work here given the linear format of the levels and the randomization of chests. You can’t exactly farm coins from enemies whenever you like.
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